How to Beat a Fast Wrestler

As athletes in a very challenging sport, wrestlers rely on a combination of speed, technique, leverage, power and stamina to outmaneuver and pin an opponent. Amateur wrestling varies greatly from the "sports entertainment" variety frequently shown on television. It requires a lot of training and experience for a wrestler to reach the highest levels of the sport. Fast wrestlers offer specific challenges on the mat because they can shoot in faster than their opponent may be able to defend and can tire out slower foes through sheer work rate. Beating a fast wrestler takes timing and discipline.

Instructions

    • 1

      Lower your stance against fast wrestlers. They have a quick shot and can get under your arms and into your legs and waist before you can properly defend. A lower stance helps negate the speed disadvantage since you won't have to travel as far down on the sprawl. This also puts you in better position to get a takedown of your own.

    • 2

      Counter his speed with timing. Since you can't out-quick your opponent, you'll need to anticipate his movement and actions so you're in motion before he is. Practice with other speedy wrestlers so you get accustomed to when to time your actions.

    • 3

      Focus your eyes on his chest during the match. He can't move in any direction without his chest going in that way, making it harder to fake you out of position.

    • 4

      Hold your opponent tight to you. If you can maintain physical contact with your opponent, it is more difficult for him to use his speed against you.

    • 5

      Lean on your opponent as much as possible to make him carry your weight and tire him out. As he gets tired, he'll slow down and you could catch a pin.

    • 6

      Work on your cardiovascular conditioning so that your opponent gets tired before you do. Since you can't out-speed your opponent, you may need to outlast him.